Island Towns
Vis Town & Komiža
Vis · Central Dalmatia
QUICK INFORMATION
- CATEGORY
- Island Towns
- COUNTRY
- Croatia
- REGION
- Vis · Central Dalmatia
- DURATION
- 1–2 days
ABOUT THIS ATTRACTION
The island has two towns and two characters. Vis town, on the large sheltered bay of the north, grew from the Greek Issa — the first urban colony of the Croatian Adriatic (4th century BC) — through Roman, Venetian and Austrian layers into a quiet stone town of a museum, Roman thermae and a slow promenade. Komiža, on the west coast under the amphitheatre of Hum, is the Adriatic’s great fishing harbour: stone houses stacked above the quay, the Muster (the fishermen’s festival of August), and the falkuša — the unique fishing sailboat of the island that once rowed to the distant islet of Palagruža.
HISTORY & BACKGROUND
The story behind it
Issa was founded by Greeks from Syracuse in the 4th century BC and minted its own coins; Rome followed, then Venice and Austria. Komiža lived from the sea — its fishermen’s guild regulated the blue-fishing voyages to Palagruža for centuries, and its falkuša boats are now museum pieces. The Yugoslav navy closed the island until 1989, which froze it in time — the secret of its character today.
WHAT TO SEE
What to see here
The harbour of Komiža and its stacked stone houses.
Vis town’s museum, Roman thermae and promenade.
The wine country of the interior (Vugava and Plavac mali).
GOOD TO KNOW
Facts & Curiosities
Issa (4th century BC) was the first urban Greek colony of the Croatian Adriatic — with its own coinage.
Komiža is the great fishing harbour of the Adriatic — home of the unique falkuša sailboat.
The island was closed to foreign visitors until 1989 — the reason for its unspoiled character.
The Muster festival of Komiža (August) is the fishermen’s feast of the island.
WHY IT MATTERS
Why it matters
Vis is the Adriatic as it was — two living stone towns, no resorts, real wine and fishing.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before you go
THROUGH THE LENS
From the road
MAP & LOCATION
Vis Town & Komiža
Vis Town & Komiža, Vis, Central Dalmatia, Croatia
43.0446, 16.0905
FOOD & DRINK
Where to eat nearby
Komiža fish restaurants — the best seafood on the islands
Konobas of Vis town and the interior
HOTELS & STAYS
Where to stay nearby
Guesthouses in Vis and Komiža
Stone-house apartments in the island villages
NEARBY DESTINATIONS
Continue the journey
INTERESTS
Explore by what you love
PART OF
Keep exploring
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